Animal washing system

ABSTRACT

A portable animal washing system having a means of dispensing a pressurized liquid cleaning agent, a means of dispensing a pressurized liquid rinsing agent, a means of extracting said liquid cleaning and rinsing agents as well as any dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, or foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat, and a means of drying the animal&#39;s coat. The device is designed in such a way that both the cleaning and the rinsing agents may be directed into and under the animal&#39;s coat and then be immediately extracted along with any dislodged dirt, debris, parasites or other foreign material. The device is also design in such a way as to direct a stream of heated forced air into and under the coat of the animal so as to dry the animal.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/923,562 filed Apr. 16, 2007 which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to animal grooming devices, and moreparticularly, to an animal washing system.

2. Description of Related Art

Essential to the washing and drying of domesticated animals are fivebasic steps: 1) wetting the coat, 2) applying a cleaning agent such as asoap, shampoo, or detergent, 3) rinsing the cleaning agent, dirt,debris, parasites, and other foreign matter from the animal's coat, 4)extracting any residual agents, dirt, debris, parasites, or foreignmatter from the animal's coat, and 5) drying the animal's coat.Traditional methods require considerable effort before, during and afterthe process. For example, before the washing and drying can begin,various items such as soap, brushes, hoses, buckets, towels, and thelike are needed and must be gathered together. Once all the necessaryitems are assembled, the process tends to be very messy due to thesplashing of water from scrubbing the animal and/or the spray of waterdue to the animal shaking. Then there is the cleanup after the processand some individuals consider that the worst part of the whole ordeal.

Also, the traditional methods of washing animals normally consumes largeamounts of water that is not only relatively expensive but is alsowasteful. Another issue with traditional animal washing methods is theeffort that is required to apply a cleaning agent to the animal becauseconsiderable effort must be used with the hands to message the cleaningagent into the animal's coat. Not only can this be very time consumingit is often exhausting work. After the cleaning agent has been appliedto the animal, particular attention must be paid to rinsing the animalbecause some animals are very sensitive to some cleaning agents and itis extremely important that the animal be thoroughly rinsed to ensurethat there is no residual cleaning agent left that could causeirritation. Another aspect of the washing process that is very importantto the well being of some animals is the drying process because if someanimals are left wet, they can easily become sick. What is needed is adevice and method that can help alleviate or reduce the above mentionedproblems. It would be especially beneficial if the device and methodcould improve the rinsing and drying of the animal.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-described problem by providing adevice and method that includes a source of pressurized fluid and atleast one nozzle to direct the pressurized fluid at least partially intoand under an animal's coat and in one embodiment onto it's skin. In oneembodiment, there are two sets of nozzles and the first set of nozzlesis connected to a pressurized fluid source that contains a cleaningagent. The first set of nozzles is used to wet the animal's coat andskin and apply a cleaning agent. By way of example and not oflimitation, the cleaning agent may be a mixture of water and soap,shampoo, detergent or some other cleaning agent used to clean an animal.In one embodiment, the cleaning agent is medicine, a therapeutic agent,or perfume or other aromatic agent. The second set of nozzles isconnected to a pressurized fluid source that contains a rinsing agentsuch as water. The rinsing agent is used to rinse at least a portion ofthe cleaning agent, hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and other foreignmatter from the animal's coat and skin.

The invention also utilizes a means of suction to immediately extract atleast a portion of the cleaning or rinsing agents, dirt, debris,parasites, or other foreign matter from the animal's coat and skin. Inone embodiment, to assist in drying the animal, the system contains ameans of delivering heated forced air to dry the animal's coat and skin.

The first and second set of nozzles, suction means, and drying means areall contained in one cleaning head. In use, the cleaning head is movedalong the animal's body in a solitary progressive motion such that theabove described device and method accomplishes all five steps of theanimal washing and drying process in one progressive motion whileallowing the user to only use one hand to wash and dry an animal. Thepressurized fluid supply, vacuum assembly, and forced air dryerfunctions can be operated together and swept over the animal such thatthe animal is washed, rinsed, and dried in one progressive motion.Alternatively, the pressurized fluid supply, vacuum assembly, and forcedair dryer functions can be operated independently or in any combinationdepending on the circumstances. In addition, the system can use eitherhot, cold, or warm fluids depending on the need and availability of suchfluids.

It has been found that the present invention allows the cleaning ofanimals much more efficiently than by traditional methods by reducingthe amount of water and additives used. In addition, the presentinvention saves the user money on both the amount of water and theamount of energy it takes to heat up the water used. Also, the presentinvention is far more environmentally friendly than are traditionalmethods in that it requires less heating energy, less waterpurification, and creates fewer burdens on water supplies and watertreatment facilities than the traditional method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an animal washing device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the cleaning head assembly of theinvention in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a portable animal washing device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting the steps of using an animal washingdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to beunderstood that structural, procedural and system changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, likefeatures shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with likereference numerals and similar features as shown in alternateembodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar referencenumerals.

FIG. 1 shows animal cleaner 102. Animal cleaner 102 contains pressurizedfluid connection assembly 104, vacuum 106, cleaning head 108, andcleaning conduit 110. Pressurized fluid connection assembly 104 iscomprised of pressurized fluid source 112 and bypass valve 114. Bypassvalve 114 allows the pressurized fluid to be tested for the correcttemperature and pressure and can be used as a bypass and keep thepressurized fluid from entering pressurized fluid supply conduit 116.Pressurized fluid source 112 is any source able to supply a sufficientamount of pressure and fluid to enable animal cleaner 102 to function.By way of example and not of limitation, pressurized fluid source 112may be a faucet, hydrant, or some other means of generating apressurized fluid. In addition, pressurized fluid source 112 may be aportable source of pressurized fluid similar to the one shown in FIG. 3.FIG. 3 shows animal cleaner 102 containing portable pressurized fluidsource 302.

Portable pressurized fluid source 302 is able to create and maintainpressure on a fluid such that at least the minimum amount of pressurizedfluid necessary for operation of the system can be delivered to animalcleaner 102. In one embodiment, portable pressurized fluid source 302contains fluid reservoir 304 and fluid pickup tube 306. Fluid reservoir304 contains the fluid used by animal cleaner 102. Fluid pickup tube 306transports the fluid to pump 308 where the fluid is pressurized and thepressurized fluid is delivered to pressurized fluid supply conduit 116.In one embodiment, animal cleaner 102 contains universal valve 148(FIG. 1) that allows pressurized fluid supply conduit 116 to be attachedto either pressurized fluid source 112 or portable pressurized fluidsource 302 (FIG. 2) relatively easily. Pump 308 may be located inportable pressurized fluid source 302 or may be in vacuum 106 andpowered by motor 140. In one embodiment, if vacuum 106 contains fan 310,the back pressure of fan 310 may be used to cause fluid to be drawn intopickup tube 306 and delivered to pressurized fluid supply conduit 116.Herein and throughout, unless stated otherwise, pressurized fluid source112 and portable pressurized fluid source 302 can be usedinterchangeably as both function to deliver a pressurized fluid topressurized fluid supply conduit 116.

Pressurized fluid source 112 (FIG. 1) delivers pressurized fluid topressurized fluid supply conduit 116 and pressurized fluid supplyconduit 116 allows the pressurized fluid from pressurized fluid source112 to flow to cleaning head 108. Cleaning conduit 110 containspressurized fluid supply conduit 116 and vacuum conduit 118 and connectspressurized fluid supply conduit 116 and vacuum conduit 118 to cleaninghead 108. In one embodiment, cleaning conduit 110 is flexible such thatcleaning conduit 110 and cleaning head 108 can be relatively easilymoved around an animal as the animal is being washed. Cleaning head 108is shown in to detail in FIG. 2.

Cleaning head 108 is comprised of pressurized fluid supply control valve122, cleaning agent receptacle 124, at least one cleaning agent spraynozzle 128, cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130, atleast one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132, and rinsing agent/contaminatedfluid extraction nozzle 134. In one embodiment, cleaning head 108contains contact sensor 126. Contact sensor 126 is able to detect whencleaning head 108 is proximate to the animal's coat and activatescleaning agent spray nozzle 128, rinsing agent spray nozzle 132,cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130 and rinsingagent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 134 either separately or incombination.

In one embodiment, pressurized fluid supply control valve 122 splits thepressurized fluid from pressurized fluid supply conduit 116 into twostreams. One stream is delivered to at least one cleaning agent spraynozzle 128 and the second stream is delivered to at least one rinsingagent spray nozzle 132. Pressurized fluid supply control valve 122controls the discharge of pressurized fluid from at least one cleaningagent spray nozzle 128 and at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132.

In another embodiment, pressurized fluid supply control valve 122controls whether the fluid from pressurized fluid supply conduit 116 issent only to at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle 128, only to atleast one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132 or to both. In this manner,pressurized fluid supply control valve 122 can control whetherpressurized fluid is only discharged from at least one cleaning agentspray nozzle 128, only discharged from at least one rinsing agent spraynozzle 132, or is discharged from both. In another embodiment,pressurized fluid supply control valve 122 controls the pressure of thepressurized fluid. In another embodiment, fluid supply control valve 122controls the amount of fluid discharged and whether or not the fluidcontains a cleaning agent from cleaning agent receptacle 124. In anotherembodiment, there are multiple fluid supply control valves 122 and eachfluid supply control valve 122 controls a nozzle and the pressure and/orfluid discharged from each fluid supply control valve 122. In oneembodiment contact sensor 126 is attached to fluid supply control valve122 such that contact sensor 126 is a secondary valve wherein fluidpressurized fluid supply control valve 122 is activated upon activationof contact sensor 126.

Before pressurized fluid is discharged from at least one cleaning agentspray nozzle 128, it enters cleaning agent receptacle 124. Cleaningagent receptacle 124 contains the cleaning agent that is used to cleanthe animal. By way of example and not of limitation, the cleaning agentmay be a mixture of water and soap, shampoo, detergent or some othercleaning agent used to clean an animal. In one embodiment, cleaningagent receptacle 124 contains medicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfumeor other aromatic agent. If cleaning agent receptacle 124 does containmedicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfume or other aromatic agent, thenrinsing agent spray nozzle 132 and vacuum 106 would not be activated orvacuum 106 would only create a relatively low suction such that thedesired amount of medicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfume or otheraromatic agent would be applied to the animal and not removed bycleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130 and rinsingagent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 134. Once the pressurizedfluid enters cleaning agent receptacle 124, the cleaning agent containedin cleaning agent receptacle 124 becomes mixed with the pressurizedfluid and the mixture is sent to at least one cleaning agent spraynozzle 128 where it is discharged onto the coat of the animal.

At least one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132 discharges relatively cleanpressurized fluid onto the animal such that the cleaning agent on theanimal can be extracted. In one embodiment, at least one cleaning agentspray nozzle 128 and/or at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132contain comb 148. Comb 148 is used to assist in allowing at least aportion of the discharge from cleaning agent spray nozzle 128 andrinsing agent spray nozzle 132 into and under the animal's coat. In oneembodiment, at least one comb 148 is located on cleaning head 108proximate to at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle 128 and/or atleast one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132.

Cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130 and rinsingagent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 134 are attached to vacuum106 and are located on cleaning head 108 such that at least a portion ofthe discharge from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle 128 iscollected by cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130 andat least a portion of the discharge from at least one rinsing agentspray nozzle 132 is collected by rinsing agent/contaminated fluidextraction nozzle 134.

The discharged from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle 128 isdirected into and potentially under the animal's coat to rinse thecleaning agent, hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreignmatter from the animal's coat and skin. Then, immediately after thecleaning agent has been forced into and under the animal's coat it isextracted along with some cleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt,debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal's coatand skin via cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130.

Also, the discharge from at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132 isdirected into and potentially under the animal's coat to rinse thecleaning agent, hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreignmatter from the animal's coat and skin. Then, immediately after therinsing agent has been forced into and under the animal's coat at leasta portion is extracted along with some cleaning agent, loose hair,dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from theanimal's coat via rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle134.

The vacuum action in cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle130 and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 134 iscreated by vacuum 106 (FIG. 1). Vacuum 106 is any device able to createa strong enough vacuum to collect at least a portion of the dischargefrom at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle 128 and at least a portionof the discharge from at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle 132. Inone embodiment vacuum 106 is able to create a relatively large vacuumaction such that a relatively large amount of cleaning agent, loosehair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter isextracted from the animal's coat and skin. In another embodiment, thevacuum in cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130 isdifferent from the vacuum in rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extractionnozzle 134. In another embodiment, vacuum 106 is sonically insulated ormuffled by mean of isolation, insulation, or sound wave interference orcancellation to reduce the sound so as not to frighten or adverselyaffect the animal. In another embodiment, vacuum 106 is locatedrelatively far from cleaning head 108 or on the opposite side of a wallor structure such that the sound produced by vacuum 106 is relativelylow and does not frighten or otherwise adversely affect the animal.

During use, the suction of vacuum 106 collects waste debris such as thecleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/orother foreign matter that is collected by cleaning agent/contaminatedfluid extraction nozzle 130 and rinsing agent/contaminated fluidextraction nozzle 134. In one embodiment, vacuum 106 contains fluidrelease mechanism 144 to assist in the disposal of the waste debris.Fluid release mechanism 144 is located proximate to the bottom of vacuum106 and upon activation, allows the waste debris to flow out of thebottom of vacuum 106. In one embodiment, fluid release mechanism 144 mayhave a mechanical action to help extract the waste debris from vacuum106. In one embodiment, fluid release mechanism is a fluid release ballvalve or float as is known in the art. In one embodiment, the wastedebris is cleaned and re-circulated back into the system.

In one embodiment animal cleaner 102 contains dryer 136. Dryer 136 blowsheated dry air under the animal's coat drying both its skin and hair.The heated air may be supplied by vacuum 106 through dryer conduit 120or from some other source capable of producing heated dry air such asheating element 138. In one embodiment, heating element 138 is locatedin vacuum 106 and in another embodiment, heating element 138 is locatedin dryer conduit 120. In another embodiment, heating element 138 islocated in cleaning head 108. The temperature of the heated air is suchthat it will not burn, scald, or otherwise harm the animal. In oneembodiment dryer 136 blows relatively hot, relatively warm or ambientair to dry the animal depending on the circumstances.

FIG. 4 shows the steps for using animal cleaner 102. First, pressurizedfluid source 112 is located, Step 402. Pressurized fluid source may be afaucet, hydrant, or a self contained source of pressurized fluid similarto the one shown in FIG. 3. Pressurized fluid source 112 is thenconnected to pressurized fluid supply conduit 116 such that pressurizedfluid can be delivered to pressurized fluid supply conduit 116, Step404. Then, the animal to be washed is secured and prepared for washing,Step 408. Because the system can be operated relatively easily with onehand, securing the animal may be relatively simple such as securing theanimal with a free hand. Alternatively, the animal may be secured with arope or leash attached to a relatively immobile object such that theuser may use both hands to wash the animal or a free hand to sooth theanimal.

Next, the cleaning agent that will be used to clean the animal isinserted into cleaning agent receptacle 124, Step 410. Then, vacuum 106is activated, Step 412 and in one embodiment, dryer 136 is activated,Step 414. Next, cleaning head 108 is positioned on the animals coat orfur, Step 416. Upon activation of pressurized fluid supply control valve122, Step 418, water and cleaning agent is at least partially forcedinto and under the animal's coat and in one embodiment onto it's skin.Next, cleaning head 108 is moved down the animal's body, Step 420 suchthat immediately after the cleaning agent has been forced at leastpartially into and under the animal's coat, and in one embodiment ontoit's skin Step 422 at least a portion of the cleaning agent is extractedalong with some dislodged hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and/or otherforeign matter from the animal's coat and skin via cleaningagent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 130, Step 424. Next, at leastone rinsing agent spray nozzle 132 at least partially forces pressurizedfluid into and under the animal's coat and in one embodiment onto it'sskin, Step 426 and immediately after the rinsing agent has been at leastpartially forced into and under the animal's coat, it is at leastpartially extracted along with a portion of any remaining cleaningagent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or otherforeign matter from the animal's coat and skin via rinsingagent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle 134, Step 428. In oneembodiment, dryer 136 blows warm air into and under the animal's coat,Step 430 thereby drying at least a portion of the animal's skin and hairsuch that all five steps of the cleaning and drying process take placealmost simultaneously within the length of the cleaning head while it isbeing moved along the animal's body. Thereby, in a solitary progressivemotion the cleaning and drying of the animal's coat and skin isperformed in a single uninterrupted action.

There may be a time when the animal may just need to be dried off orgiven a quick rinse such as when the animal has been outside in the rainor playing in water. Therefore, in one embodiment, only the stepsnecessary for rinsing and drying the animal may be performed. In anotherembodiment, the pressurized fluid supply, vacuum assembly, and forcedair dryer functions can be operated together or independently dependingon the circumstances. In another embodiment, the system can use eitherhot, cold, or warm fluids depending on the need and availability of suchfluids.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplaryembodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims. Any attempt to construct a similar device within thespirit and scope of the present invention, will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

1. An animal washing system comprising: a pressurized fluid source; acleaning head wherein the cleaning head contains a first nozzle fordischarging fluid from the pressurized fluid source; a conduit fortransporting the fluid from the fluid source to the first nozzle; afirst vacuum for collecting at least a portion of the fluid dischargedfrom the first nozzle; and a dryer.
 2. The animal washing system ofclaim 1 further comprising a fluid supply valve to control the dischargeof the first nozzle.
 3. The animal washing system of claim 2 furthercomprising a comb on the end of the cleaning head.
 4. The animal washingsystem of claim 2 wherein the pressurized fluid source is relativelyportable.
 5. The animal washing system of claim 2 further comprising: asecond nozzle wherein a discharge of the second nozzle is controlled bythe fluid supply valve; and a cleaning agent receptacle between thefirst nozzle and the pressurized fluid source such that matter in thecleaning agent receptacle is entrained in the fluid before beingdischarged from the first nozzle.
 6. The animal washing system of claim5 further comprising a second vacuum for collection of at least aportion of the fluid discharged from the second nozzle.
 7. The animalwashing system of claim 5 wherein the fluid supply valve controls thefirst nozzle independent of the second nozzle.
 8. The animal washingsystem of claim 7 wherein the pressurized fluid source is a faucet orhydrant.
 9. A method of washing an animal, the method comprising thesteps of: locating a pressurized fluid source; connecting thepressurized fluid source to a pressurized fluid supply conduit; securinga animal to be washed; inserting a cleaning agent into a cleaning agentreceptacle such that matter in the cleaning agent receptacle isentrained in fluid from the pressurized fluid source before beingdischarged from a first nozzle; positioning a cleaning head onto theanimal wherein the cleaning head contains the first nozzle; activating afirst vacuum wherein a vacuum force is created proximate to the firstnozzle; activating a fluid supply control valve such that pressurizedthe fluid from the pressurized fluid source is discharged from the firstnozzle; activating a dryer wherein the dryer is located on the cleaninghead; and moving the cleaning head down the animal such that at least aportion of the cleaning agent is extracted by the first vacuum.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the cleaning head further comprises a secondnozzle and a second vacuum wherein the second vacuum creates a vacuumforce proximate to the second nozzle.
 11. The method of claim 10 whereinthe fluid supply valve controls the discharge from the first nozzleindependent of a discharge from the second nozzle.
 12. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the vacuum contains an impeller to extract mattercollected from the first vacuum and the second vacuum.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the second nozzle and the second vacuum can be operatedindependently of the first nozzle and the first vacuum.
 14. The methodof claim 9 wherein the pressurized fluid source is relatively portable.15. The method of claim 9 wherein the pressurized fluid source is afaucet.
 16. A portable animal washing system comprising: a pressurizedfluid source; a cleaning head wherein the cleaning head contains a firstnozzle and a second nozzle for discharging fluid from the pressurizedfluid source; a conduit for transporting the fluid from the fluid sourceto the first nozzle and the second nozzle; a cleaning agent receptaclebetween the first nozzle and the pressurized fluid source such thatmatter in the cleaning agent receptacle is entrained in the fluid beforebeing discharged from the first nozzle; a fluid supply valve to controlthe discharge of the first nozzle and the second nozzle; a first vacuumfor collecting at least a portion of the fluid discharged from the firstnozzle; and a second vacuum for collecting at least a portion of thefluid discharged from the second nozzle.
 17. The animal washing systemof claim 16 further comprising a dryer.
 18. The animal washing system ofclaim 16 wherein the pressurized fluid source is relatively portable.19. The animal washing system of claim 16 wherein the fluid supply valvecontrols the discharge from the first nozzle independent of a dischargefrom the second nozzle.
 20. The animal washing system of claim 16wherein the pressurized fluid source is a faucet.